Schistura mahnerti

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Schistura mahnerti

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Balitoridae
Genus: Schistura
Species: S. mahnerti
Binomial name
Schistura mahnerti
(Kottelat, 1990)

Schistura mahnerti, or the Burmese Border loach,[clarify] is a species of tropical freshwater fish of the family Balitoridae and subfamily Nemacheilidae.[1][2] It comes from the fast-flowing streams of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). The Burmese border loach is also one of the more recent species to be introduced to the aquarium trade.

Other common names for this fish include the Burmese-border sand loach and red-tail sand loach.

[edit] Description and behavior

Burmese border loaches share common characteristics with all fish of the genus Schistura: elongated bodies, flat bellies and striped coloration. The finnage may take a reddish hue as the fish matures. Males and females show sexual dimorphism via suborbital flaps, present only in the males of the species. Movement is characterized by short, rapid bursts from one point to another. The maximum known size is 3 inches (7.6 cm).

The stripe pattern is common to many Schistura species, so identification can be difficult. Along with suborbital flaps missing in some other species, S. mahnerti has at least 9 caudal rays. The stripes resemble the split bands of a zebra or tiger up front, then turn into thick solid bands toward the tail.

S. mahnerti requires plenty of hiding spaces separated by visual barriers to distinguish its territory. Although it can be taught to accept flake food in captivity, this species consumes a largely carnivorous diet of mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and small insects.

[edit] Distribution

Schistura mahnerti comes from the Salween River, which flows from the Himalayas eastward as the border to Thailand and Burma.

In its habitat, the natural water chemistry has a pH of 6 to 6.9, slightly acidic. Due to the fast flow of the streams, the water is well-oxygenated and the tropical climate keeps the water from 73 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. (23°-26°C)


[edit] References

  1. ^ Schistura mahnerti (TSN 688120). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on April 1, 2008.
  2. ^ "Schistura mahnerti". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2008 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2008.